Got some bits of burnt sienna that are beyond sharpening? Any stubs of shocking pink or screamin' green ready for retirement? Hold onto those tiny nubs of wax, or whatever you call them. They're ready to make a comeback.
The Crayola crayons kids love most -- their favorites that become minute pieces of magenta or little laser lemon nubs after hours and hours of coloring -- are the "fuel" for a new toy from the maker of Crayola products. The Crayola Crayon Maker, the first crayon-making machine of its kind, lets kids have fun creating and naming their own collection of Crayola crayon colors by melting down and re-molding their tiny stubs of wax into brand new crayons.
Recycled color
"An average child will wear down about 730 crayons by his 10th birthday," says Stacy Gabrielle, Crayola spokesperson. "With our new crayon maker, those well-used crayon pieces too precious for kids to part with can be returned to tip top shape."
According to a press release from Crayola, the tabletop "crayon factory" operates using a small light bulb that melts down the crayon pieces kids vigorously wear down as they color and create, or the colored wax that comes with it. After the pieces are arranged on the melting tray and the timer is cranked, kids can watch their personal wax works do its job through the hip see-through dome that locks in place until the crayons are completely melted and molded. A "tip switch" automatically shuts off the Crayon Maker if it accidentally tips over.
Once the wax pieces inside become a colorful liquid emitting that familiar Crayola crayon scent, the light turns off signaling it's time to turn another knob that tilts the melting tray forward, sending a stream of color into the molds. In about 20 minutes, kids can make three new crayons in their favorite hues, or create names for totally new colors they can invent by melting together different colored wax pieces to make multi-colored crayons.
Artistic flavors
A small slice of "wild watermelon," a chunk of "banana mania" and a piece of "granny smith apple" can be melted together to make a swirled stick called "fruit salad." Britney Spears' fans can melt and mold robin's egg blue (reportedly her favorite), cerulean and sky blue to make a special hue called "britney blue." Other crayon maker "recipes" will be available at Crayola.com when the Crayola Crayon Maker hits stores in July.
Kids can put the finishing touches on their new crayons now ready for active duty by writing names they create on the adhesive labels that truly turn their new wax sticks into Crayola crayons. A set of 18 labels comes inside, along with "cog and wheel" shaped decals for decorating the Crayon Maker.
The Crayola Crayon Maker will be available in July at mass merchandisers and toy stores nationwide. Retailing for about $24.99, it will add a fun touch of color to birthday, holiday or "special occasion" gifts.
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Winter Storm Warning Issued for Berkshires
Another snowstorm is expected to move through the region overnight on Friday, bringing 5 to 8 inches of snow. This is updated from Thursday's winter weather advisory.
The National Weather Service in Albany, N.Y., has posted a winter storm warning for all of Berkshire County and parts of eastern New York State beginning Friday at 4 p.m. through Saturday at 1 p.m.
The region could see heavy to moderate snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour overnight, tapering off Saturday morning to flurries.
Drivers should exercise caution on Friday night and Saturday morning, as travel conditions may be hazardous.
Saturday night should be clear and calm, but warming temperatures means freezing rain Sunday night and rain through Monday with highs in the 40s. The forecast isn't much better through the week as temperatures dip back into the teens with New Year's Eve looking cloudy and frigid.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
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